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This was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but as with other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, looking out of place amid the celebratory environment as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Piece Together Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.